Mizell Center

What Mizell Center does

Mizell Center is a 501(c)(3) nondenominational senior community center founded circa 1975 in Palm Springs, California, serving the Coachella Valley's 60+ population. The organization's core service is the Senior Nutrition Program, which prepares and delivers approximately 600-700 nutritious meals each weekday, split between congregate dining at five regional senior centers (Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Palm Springs) and home delivery to homebound seniors from Whitewater to the Salton Sea. Mizell is the sole Meals on Wheels provider in the entire Coachella Valley, with 90% of that program's funding sourced from Riverside County Office on Aging.

Beyond nutrition, Mizell operates a membership program ($40/year) granting access to 60+ weekly activities spanning fitness, arts, wellness, and lifelong learning, drawing 60,000+ annual visitors to its historic Palm Springs headquarters at 480 South Sunrise Way. Ancillary revenue and impact streams include the Aunt Betty's Thrift Shop (volunteer-staffed, 100% proceeds to programs), space rentals (Noia Auditorium and ancillary rooms), tiered philanthropy programs (Sunrise Club at $600-$5,000/year and Club 12 at $12-$60/month), and a Business Partner program offering senior-focused businesses structured access to the 50+ demographic.

The organization employs 32 full-time staff including an Executive Director, six functional directors, kitchen crew, and Meals on Wheels drivers, supplemented by a long-tenured volunteer base. Revenue mechanics are diversified across government contracts, individual donations, planned giving, business partnerships, and earned income from meals and retail — though the Meals on Wheels line carries a high single-funder concentration. Mizell is governed by a Board of Directors with representation from healthcare, banking, real estate, and community sectors, and recently integrated A Cabbello, a previously independent choral ensemble, as a resident program.

Name

Mizell Center

Legal name

Mizell Center

Website

https://mizell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mizell Center is a nonprofit senior community center in Palm Springs serving Coachella Valley residents aged 60+ as the sole regional Meals on Wheels provider, delivering 600+ daily meals and hosting 60+ weekly wellness, arts, and educational programs through membership, philanthropy, and county funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Meals, Nutrition & Congregate Dining Day Programs (HSABANAM)

Keywords

• Senior services
• Community center
• Meals on wheels
• Senior nutrition
• Membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership at $40 per person provides access to discounted classes, programs, and activities, supporting operational sustainability while offering members reduced rates.
2. Meal Sales: Revenue from congregate dining meals at $5 per meal, with a suggested $3 voluntary contribution for Riverside County Senior Congregate Meal Program participants.
3. Meals on Wheels Program Funding: Funded 90% by Riverside County Office on Aging, with Mizell directly funding the balance through individual contributions, grants, and business partners.
4. Donations and Contributions: One-time and recurring donations from individuals, memorial/tribute gifts, vehicle donations, stock donations, and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs support programs.
5. Business Partner Memberships: Annual business partner memberships at $300, $600, $1,200, and $5,000 levels provide marketing access, presentations, and tabling opportunities to senior-focused businesses.
6. Sunrise Club Philanthropy Program: Tiered giving program with Bronze ($600/year), Silver ($1,200/year), Gold ($3,000/year), and Platinum ($5,000/year) levels offering memberships, event invitations, and recognition.
7. Space Rental: Rental revenue from meeting rooms and event spaces including Noia Auditorium, Ross Room, Autry Room, Hearst Room, Community Room, and Dining Room.
8. Aunt Betty's Thrift Shop: Resale revenue from donated items including jewelry, clothing, housewares, small furniture, appliances, and home health aids. All proceeds support Mizell programs and services.
9. Club 12 Monthly Giving: Monthly giving program supporting Meals on Wheels, with amounts from $12/month covering one meal to $60/month covering a full week of meals.
10. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests in wills, beneficiary designations, and estate planned giving providing long-term financial sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mizell Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit senior community center that operates a senior nutrition program (Meals on Wheels home delivery and congregate dining), a senior center offering social, educational, and wellness classes and activities, a membership program, space rentals, and a thrift shop. Its core mission is keeping older adults in the Coachella Valley nourished, engaged, and connected through programming delivered on-site and in the home.

Product overview

Mizell Center is a nondenominational senior community center in Palm Springs serving the Coachella Valley for over 50 years. The organization operates a comprehensive suite of services centered on its Senior Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels and dine-in lunch service) as the core offering, supplemented by over 60 weekly wellness, fitness, creative arts, and educational programs. Additional services include facility space rental, the Aunt Betty's Thrift Shop retail operation, tiered philanthropy programs (Sunrise Club, Club 12), and the 3rd Wednesday Speaker Series. The center also hosts partner programs including the Palm Springs Library and A Cabbello choral ensemble. Membership at $40/year provides access to reduced-rate programming, while volunteer engagement and space rental support operational sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Meals on Wheels (Home-Delivered Meals)
• Congregate Dining
• Senior Center Membership
• Senior Classes and Activities
• Facility and Space Rentals

Quantifiable outcome

• Prepares and delivers 600+ meals each weekday to homebound seniors
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Riverside County Office on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of Meals on Wheels program, providing 90% of program funding. Mizell facilitates the Senior Nutrition Lunch Program for the County. This is a critical government partnership enabling core service delivery.
• Desert Oasis HealthcareflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of the Dining Room at Mizell Center. Honored at the 2025 Annual Gala in celebration of 45 years of partnership advancing health, dignity, and quality of life for older adults. Host of the Colorectal & Anal Cancers presentation.
• Eisenhower HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured business partner and healthcare provider for seniors. Benjamin Farber, DNP, RN serves on the Board of Directors representing Eisenhower Health.
• Desert Care NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured business partner in Assisted & Community Living category, supporting senior healthcare services in the Coachella Valley.
• Palm Springs Disposal Services (PSDS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing support to Mizell Center. Logo displayed on website as partner with shared commitment to community service.
• City of Palm SpringscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCity government partner supporting Mizell Center and the senior community. Logo displayed as community partner.
• Palm Springs Animal ShelterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides pet food in partnership for pets in need belonging to Meals on Wheels clients, supporting holistic care for homebound seniors.
• Meals on Wheels AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMizell is a proud member of Meals on Wheels America, the national organization supporting local Meals on Wheels programs.
• Palm Springs Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTemporary relocation to Mizell during library renovation. Joint programming includes Pop-Up Library, Genealogy Lectures, and Chinese Mah Jong Open Play. Benefits both organizations through cross-promotion.
• Palm Springs Rotary Club - Sun UpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting Mizell events including Life Stream Blood Drive and other community initiatives.
• Momentous EventsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEvent design and production company for the Annual Dinner Gala, providing professional event execution.
• SCAN Health PlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance/Medicare specialist business partner serving seniors in the Coachella Valley.
• Alignment Health PlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance/Medicare specialist business partner serving seniors in the Coachella Valley.
• Welbe HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare provider business partner in Assisted & Community Living category, providing services for seniors in Coachella Valley.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• DAP Health: Coachella Valley-based nonprofit providing health and wellness services, with significant senior client overlap — comparable community-based nonprofit model with shared referral pathways and partner ecosystem.
• FIND Food Bank: Regional food distribution nonprofit serving the Coachella Valley's food-insecure population including seniors — directly comparable in nutrition mission and partially overlapping in distribution network for homebound clients.
• Jewish Family Service of the Desert: Coachella Valley-based nonprofit serving older adults with case management, food assistance, and social services — operates in the same geography and customer base as Mizell and competes for the same donor and grant dollars.
• Alzheimer's Association - Desert Southwest Chapter: Regional senior-focused nonprofit providing caregiver support, education, and resources to families affected by dementia — overlaps in Coachella Valley senior-caregiving population served by Mizell's Meals on Wheels and wellness programs.
• Family YMCA of the Desert: Community-based organization in the Coachella Valley offering senior fitness, wellness, and social programs with a membership model — directly comparable to Mizell's wellness/arts/lifelong learning programming and member-tier structure.

Emerging players

• WelbeHealth: PACE provider serving California seniors with integrated medical, social, and nutrition services — already a Mizell business partner and emerging competitor for the same dual-eligible senior demographic in California.
• InnovAge (PACE Program): Operator of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) centers serving dual-eligible seniors with clinical, social, and meal services — represents an emerging clinical-care model that competes for the same senior population Mizell serves in non-clinical form.

Broad incumbents

• SCAN Health Plan: Large Medicare Advantage insurer with significant presence in the Coachella Valley — already a Mizell business partner, providing senior-focused health benefits that complement (or potentially substitute for) community-based services like Mizell's.
• Meals on Wheels America: National umbrella organization for the Meals on Wheels network of which Mizell is a member — sets programmatic standards, channels federal funding, and represents the broader category Mizell operates in at a national scale.
• Jewish Community Centers of North America (JCC): National federation of JCCs operating community centers with senior programming, membership models, and facilities similar to Mizell — comparable organizational model scaled nationally with senior-focused programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mizell-senior-ctr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mizell Center